Saudi Arabia is eyeing geothermal power — that is, harvesting steam from the earth's bossom, usually from volcanic vents — as part of its strategic energy plan that also includes massive use of solar energy and wind farms, a senior official told a conference here.
Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al Falih, speaking at the on-going World Future Energy Summit in the UAE capital, said that his country will generate a total of 10 gigawatts from a combination of solar, wind and geothermal power projects to be installed by 2023.
Al Falih, also the Chairman of Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Aramco), has said Riyadh is set to start soon the first round of bidding for up to $50 billion worth of renewable energy projects for the fresh energy projects.
HE @Khalid_AlFalih: " A mix of 10gw of #solar, #wind & #geothermal to be installed by 2023 in Saudi Arabia" pic.twitter.com/U5y5ohw2ic
— MoCCAE (@MoCCaEUAE) January 16, 2017
This doesn’t come as a surprise: There are at least 10 known hot springs in Saudi Arabia. Recent studies show potential geothermal sites in Al Khouba area, in the southerwestern province of Jizan, for example.
Saudi authorities are encouraging and supporting not only research in the area but earmarking also huge investments in renewables.
Abu Dhabi, the home of International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena), is hosting the week-long conference international summit on renewables.
